More than a dozen people were injured, and at least one person was killed when an 18-wheeler crashed into a Texas Department of Public Safety building in Brenham on Friday (April 12). Officials said that officers were chasing the 18-wheeler, which was reported stolen.
Officials said that one person was killed and 13 others injured in the incident. Five people, including the deceased victim, were taken to the hospital, while eight others were treated at the scene for various injuries.
A spokesperson for the Washington County Sheriff's Officer said that the driver stole the truck and purposefully targeted the building because he was denied a commercial driver's license there on Thursday.
Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura said the driver tried to back up and ram the building again but was thwarted by officers.
"There would have been a collapse of that building," Kenjura said.
Authorities said that the driver, who was not identified, was taken into custody. He was hospitalized and then turned over to law enforcement.
"We can confirm that the Texas Rangers are investigating this incident. A suspect has been arrested, and there is no further threat to the community," a DPS official said.
While there is no ongoing threat, the public was advised to stay away from the area while the Rangers conduct their investigation.